Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation explained – CNN.com

Pope Benedict XVI waves in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican in December 2012. Benedict, 85, announced on Monday, February 11, that he will resign at the end of February “because of advanced age.” The last pope to resign was Gregory XII in 1415.

(CNN) — In an unexpected move, Pope Benedict XVI — born Joseph Ratzinger — has announced that he is to resign. Benedict was elected pope in 2005 after the death of Pope John Paul II. We explore what the surprise announcement means for the Catholic Church.

Why has Pope Benedict XVI resigned?

In his statement, Pope Benedict — who turns 86 in April — said he had come to the certainty “that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.”

By law, the conclave begins in the Sistine Chapel. On that morning, the cardinals will celebrate the Votive Mass, “Pro Eligendo Papa.” That afternoon, the cardinals begin the election process.

The cardinals draw lots to select three members to collect ballots from the infirm, three “tellers” to count the votes and three others to review the results.

Blank ballots are then prepared and distributed. The ballots are rectangular in shape and must bear in the upper half, in print if possible, the words “Eligo in Summum Pontificem,” meaning “I elect as supreme pontiff.” The electors write the name of the candidate on the lower half and fold it in two.

After writing the name of one man on his ballot, each of the active cardinals — those under 80 years of age — walks to an altar in order of seniority and pledges to perform his duty with integrity. Each cardinal then places a folded ballot containing his choice onto a small disc made of precious metal and drop it inside a chalice.

After all votes are cast, the tellers tally the ballots and the result is read to the cardinals. If a cardinal receives two-thirds plus one of the votes, he is the new pontiff.

If there is no winner, another vote is taken. If there is still no winner, two more votes are scheduled for the afternoon.

How is the result of the vote broadcast?

After the votes are counted each time, the ballots are burned. If there has been no winner, a chemical is mixed with the ballots to produce black smoke when they are burned.

Sight of the black smoke emerging from the roof of the Vatican Palace tells those waiting in St. Peter’s Square that a pope has not yet been selected.

When a winner has been selected, the ballots are burned alone, and the white smoke indicates there is a new pope.

Lombardi said it was expected that Pope Benedict would devote his time to reflection and prayer.

In his statement, Pope Benedict said he wished “to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.”

The Vatican said Pope Benedict would eventually move to a monastery within the Vatican.

What will Pope Benedict be known as once he has stepped down as Pope?

According to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, Pope Benedict will return to being known as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger once he has stepped down as pope. He will be addressed as his eminence or Cardinal Ratzinger.